Nearly 150 Homes to be Demolished in Scotland Following Storm Babet Devastation
Angus Council approves demolition of properties damaged by the powerful storm nearly three years ago, alongside plans for flood defense upgrades.
Dozens of homes devastated by Storm Babet nearly three years ago will be demolished, Angus councillors have decided. The decision affects 145 houses and flats, including 29 privately owned properties and five garages, which have remained empty since the powerful weather system hit Brechin.
Storm Babet swept across Scotland and north-east England in October 2023, bringing wind gusts up to 110 mph and heavy rainfall that caused rivers to breach flood defenses. Brechin, in Angus, was among the hardest-hit areas, with the South Esk overflowing and flooding streets.
Angus councillors have approved plans to bulldoze the damaged properties and have also agreed to changes to the river's flood defenses, an undertaking estimated to cost £8.2 million.
Brechin councillor and deputy provost Jill Scott stated that while the decision may not satisfy everyone, it will "bring closure" for affected households. She emphasized that no one will be made homeless by this decision, with housing officers set to support residents in finding new homes.
In the aftermath of the storm, Angus Council reported that over 400 households were affected by flooding and estimated that at least £4 million would be needed for repair works. The total property damage across the UK from Storm Babet was approximately £500 million.
The demolition decision comes as the Scottish Government announced a new £5 million Community Resilience Fund, set to open next year, aimed at helping communities prepare for and mitigate flood risks. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address increasing flood risks due to changing climate patterns.
Rural Affairs Secretary Gillian Martin acknowledged that events once considered exceptional are becoming more common, stating, "For many, flood risk is no longer a distant future threat; it’s today’s reality." The Scottish Government's national flood resilience strategy, published in 2024, outlines a long-term vision to 2045 and includes 65 actions to improve flood resilience across Scotland over the next four years. These actions encompass planning, infrastructure protection, land management, and community support.
The strategy aims for a future where people and places across Scotland are prepared for increased flood risk, with resilience embedded in a fair, sustainable, and inclusive manner.